Walmart Is About to Open a Technology Research Center in Plano's Granite Park

Walmart is opening an emerging technologies office in Plano to work on new systems designed to improve store operations.The world's largest retailer already employs 2,000 technologists in Silicon Valley, but believes there's plenty of talent to tap in Texas. The new office officially opens April 5 in a Common Desk shared space facility at 5830 Granite Park in Plano.Carlos Riojas, a Walmart director of digital engineering and development who is leading the Plano office, said he has hired 17 people so far. Riojas has also leased space in a University of Texas at Dallas facility created for engineering students and companies to work together. It's called the UTDesign Studio and Walmart has hired four students this semester to work with its software engineers in Plano.Walmart spokesowman Anne Hatfield said the Plano office is similar to one that opened in February in Austin and each one will employ 50 to 60 people by the end of 2018.Both Texas offices are working on back office functions and ways to support stores with new technology. Walmart's Silicon Valley and New York technology offices are responsible for the retailer's e-commerce business.  Continue reading...